Intrathecal Administration of the α1 Adrenergic Antagonist Phentolamine Upregulates Spinal GLT-1 and Improves Mirror Image Pain in SNI Model Rats

Mirror image pain (MIP) is a type of extraterritorial pain that results in contralateral pain or allodynia. Glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) is expressed in astrocytes and plays a role in maintaining low glutamate levels in the synaptic cleft. Previous studies have shown that GLT-1 dysfunction induces neuropathic pain. Our previous study revealed bilateral GLT-1 downregulation in the spinal cord of a spared nerve injury (SNI) rat. We hypothesized that spinal GLT-1 is involved in the mechanism of MIP. We also previously demonstrated noradrenergic GLT-1 regulation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of an α1 adrenergic antagonist on the development of MIP. Rats were subjected to SNI. Changes in pain behavior and GLT-1 protein levels in the SNI rat spinal cords were then examined by intrathecal administration of the α1 adrenergic antagonist phentolamine, followed by von Frey test and western blotting. SNI resulted in the development of MIP and bilateral downregulation of GLT-1 protein in the rat spinal cord. Intrathecal phentolamine increased contralateral GLT-1 protein levels and partially ameliorated the 50% paw withdrawal threshold in the contralateral hind paw. Spinal GLT-1 upregulation by intrathecal phentolamine ameliorates MIP. GLT-1 plays a role in the development of MIPs

Discrepancies between pathological examination and imaging analysis after primary systemic chemotherapy for breast cancer: report of two cases

Primary systemic chemotherapy (PSC) in breast cancer prolongs disease-free survival in patients who have obtained pathological complete remission (pCR). In combination with pathological examination, CT and MRI have been used to evaluate the efficacy of PSC, they generally coincide well with pathological evaluation. We here present two cases showing discrepancies between pathological examination and imaging analysis after PSC in breast cancer. We should keep such discrepancies in mind to determine the ideal treatment after PSC. An accurate method of evaluating cellular damage by PSC is needed

Quantitative evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 inactivation using a deep ultraviolet light-emitting diode

Inactivation technology for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is certainly a critical measure to mitigate the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A deep ultraviolet light-emitting diode (DUV-LED) would be a promising candidate to inactivate SARS-CoV-2, based on the well-known antiviral effects of DUV on microorganisms and viruses. However, due to variations in the inactivation effects across different viruses, quantitative evaluations of the inactivation profile of SARS-CoV-2 by DUV-LED irradiation need to be performed. In the present study, we quantify the irradiation dose of DUV-LED necessary to inactivate SARS-CoV-2. For this purpose, we determined the culture media suitable for the irradiation of SARS-CoV-2 and optimized the irradiation apparatus using commercially available DUV-LEDs that operate at a center wavelength of 265, 280, or 300 nm. Under these conditions, we successfully analyzed the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and the irradiation dose of the DUV-LEDs at each wavelength without irrelevant biological effects. In conclusion, total doses of 1.8 mJ/cm2 for 265 nm, 3.0 mJ/cm2 for 280 nm, and 23 mJ/cm2 for 300 nm are required to inactivate 99.9% of SARS-CoV-2. Our results provide quantitative antiviral effects of DUV irradiation on SARS-CoV-2, serving as basic knowledge of inactivation technologies against SARS-CoV-2

Duct lavage cytology for the detection of breast cancer: report of a case

Although many modalities have been established to diagnose breast cancers, it is sometimes difficult to reveal nonpalpable cases. Duct lavage cytology was originally established to reveal groups at high risk for breast cancers by detecting metaplastic ductal cells. We report here a case where duct lavage was useful for revealing a small cancer that had been undetected by repeated bloody nipple discharge and cytological examinations. Duct lavage cytology may be of use in cases where nipple discharge of unknown origin persists

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with or without Concurrent Hormone Therapy in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer:NACED-Randomized Multicenter Phase II Trial

Although in the neoadjuvant setting for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancers, chemotherapy or hormone therapy alone does not result in satisfactory tumor response, it is unknown whether concurrent chemo-endocrine therapy is superior to chemotherapy alone in clinical outcomes. We conducted a randomized phase II trial to test the responses of ER-positive patients to concurrent administration of chemo-endocrine therapy in the neoadjuvant setting. Women with stage II-III, ER-positive, invasive breast cancer (n=28) received paclitaxel followed by fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide (T-FEC) and were randomized to receive concurrent chemo-endocrine therapy consisting of goserelin administered subcutaneously for premenopausal women or an aromatase inhibitor for postmenopausal women. The primary endpoint was the pathological complete response (pCR) rate after neoadjuvant therapy. Twenty-eight patients were randomized. There were no significant differences in pCR rate between the concurrent group (12.5%;2/16) and the chemotherapy alone group (8.3%;1/12). Tumor size after therapy was significantly reduced in the concurrent therapy group (p=0.035), but not in the chemotherapy-alone group (p=0.622). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with concurrent hormone therapy provided no significant improvement in pCR rate in ER-positive breast cancers. These preliminary results should be followed up by further studies

Quercetin Attenuates Neuropathic Pain in Rats with Spared Nerve Injury

Quercetin is a flavonoid widely found in plants and marketed to the public as a supplement. Several studies have reported its effect on glial cells. This study aimed to examine the effect of quercetin on the development of neuropathic pain and the underlying mechanism in a spared nerve injury (SNI) rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats randomly assigned to the control or the quercetin group were subjected to SNI of the sciatic nerve. We measured pain behaviors on the hind paw and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord. Oral administration of 1% quercetin, begun before surgery, attenuated mechanical allodynia compared to the control group at days 7 and 10 after SNI. On the other hand, established pain was not attenuated in a post-dose group in which quercetin was begun 7 days after SNI. Quercetin inhibited GFAP in the satellite glial cells of the ipsilateral L5 DRG on day 7 compared to the control group. Quercetin suppressed the development of neuropathic pain through a mechanism partly involving the inhibition of satellite glial cells. As its safety is well established, quercetin has great potential for clinical use in pain treatment

看護学生の生死観の比較

3年課程の1年次と3年次の看護学生を対象に、死生観について質問紙による調査を行った。その結果、① l、 3年次生共に死に対する回遊的傾向、タブー視は見られず、むしろ前向きな姿勢が伺えた。②死に対するイメージは、生命体の自然な成りゆきとして捉えていた。また、感情面では否定的イメージであり、悲しくつらい体験に意味づけをしていく必要性が示唆された。③死に対する不安は身体的苦痛、漠然とした不安が多く、 1年次生は思考レベルの不安が多かった。④死の意識面において、学年差はないが3年次生は行動化の傾向が見られた。⑤ 3年次生は1年次生よりも死の概念の認識面、および行動面において死生観の発達が見られた

年代および性別による死生観の違い : 非医療従事者を対象としたアンケート調査を通して

20歳以上の非医療従事者269名に死生観に関するアンケート調査を実施した。その結果、死はマイナスイメージで回避できない自然現象ととらえて、心の準備が必要と考えている人が多く、死の準備教育の必要性が示唆された。また、死をタブー視する傾向は、60代以上に多く、時代的背景の影響が見られた。死に対する不安は身体的苦痛などの現実的なことが多かったが、20～30代は「自己の存在消滅」など認識面の不安が多かった。死を意識するきっかけとしては、「大切な人の死を通して」が最も多く約6割であった。50代以上では、体調、加齢をきっかけとして死を意識し、かつ、それに伴う具体的な行動が見られ、死の準備状況の進展がみられた。20代では臓器移植賛成、提供してもよいが約8割であった。性差では女性の関心が高く、死を意識した行動が見られた